Thank you! It definitely is a cool comp, I got so lost in using it that I shot an hour long video LOL. Definitely had to edit it down to make it work for RUclips :)
Ooooh....that's a tough one! I'd go with the Revolver in that application. One thing that pushes it over the top is the link feature does this really cool thing to the stereo image that I enjoyed on mix buss.
Another great review and demonstration. Awesome job! You are making it extemely difficult to decide which piece of Retro gear to compliment my Powerstrip. I was decided on the 176 (based on your demo) before hearing what the Revolver did, especially using the two channels in line for cascading compression. So smooth and sounds phenomenal. Keep it up! 👍
Thanks Rich! That's something I'll struggle with as well until I can afford to have all the Retro gear I think :) They just make gear the way I like to hear things, I can't say enough good things about them! I've heard the Revolver comp is similar to the Powerstrip comp so a 176 or Sta Level may give you something more different than what you currently have. Having said that, having 2 channels in the Revolver is such a luxury!
@@SeawellStudios It seems we are in violent agreement on so many audio-related products! Must be a NC thing lol. Love love Retro gear. I noticed some Dangerous Music in your rack as well...I use their Convert AD+ here and it is another "magic box" that seems on the surface too expensive for the feature set, but puts all doubts at ease the minute you run audio into it.
@@FLOSPhotographer There must be something in the water around here 😁 I do have a Dangerous 2 Bus and Source. I previously owned a D-Box and was blown away by how good that D/A conversion was for monitoring in such an affordable box! Thanks for the info about the Convert, I'd love to check one out at some point!
Thank you Josh!!! What a great review! That compressor has a really nice envelope, even on the fastest settings it's still smooth. It sounds great on everything, its release behavior even reminds me optical compressors. Variable attack and release controls plus side chain filter makes it very versatile.
Thanks Elias! Smooth is a great way to describe it! The variable attack and release definitely takes the RS124 style compression to a place I haven't heard before, I love it!
Great video. I always imagined the Revolver would be able to distort like a Sta-Level, but even when you crank the input all the way, it seems it's nowhere near that level of big fuzz and grit, am I right or am I missing something? Thanks again.
Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it! It is definitely the smoothest/cleanest piece of Retro gear I've used yet. There are a lot of times when the Sta Level is absolutely perfect, but for times when it is too much color, the revolver is a great alternative!
Really love the sounds of your recordings ! Honestly listen to a lot of gear reviews ect and just the sound of everything you run is cool I can’t describe it haha just cool Would you recommend the 176 or revolver mainly for tracking acoustic guitar and vocals
Thank you so much, that means a lot! If you record a good bit of stereo sources, I'd recommend the Revolver. If you're primarily doing a mono acoustic and vocal, the 176 will be more flexible. The interstage transformer in the 176 does something nice to the top end on acoustic on vocals as well.
I would only recommend this over the Chandler if you expect to work on a lot of stereo sources and you've found the typical RS124 to be too slow for what you like. I happen to love the RS124 just the way it is so that's what I still use to this day. Thanks for checking out the video!
great video!! I‘ve been looking into compressors for the last 2 months and i‘ve been really struggling to decide which one‘s the best for me atm. Then, today finally I‘ve found your video and before that I didn’t even consider / knew of the revolver, but now it’s the one i‘ll get! ;)
@@leonard.c Ah man, that sucks! Parts must be too hard to source. Good news though, I think Sound Pure has one left! www.soundpure.com/p/retro-revolver-dual-channel-tube-compressor/20479
@@SeawellStudios unfortunately i‘m living in Berlin.. guess I’d have go pay double the taxes and I’m also not sure how it works with the warranty if I order from the US. But I‘ll do my research, thank you so much for your help, I appreciate it!
Do you think the retro and chandler RS124 are similar enough in sound as far as tracking vocal and guitars? Which do you prefer? I ask because I have the chandler but would be willing to get rid of it for the retro, also having the mix bus capability
I think you can get them similar if you don't use Superfuse mode much. Superfuse is something I couldn't quite get the revolver to do. If you tend to track without superfuse, then yes, you can get real close tonally and you'll have the bonus of the faster attack times of the revolver for those times that the RS124 can be a little too slow for certain singers.
@@SeawellStudios thanks for the info and you know what I never use the super fuse mode. It always sounded to me like my vocals were compressed and aggressive enough as it is and I never really thought about using it for acoustic or electric guitars.
I compared them pretty extensively on vocals and the RS124 is just the exact sound I like to hear on a vocal. The Retro can get pretty close but is a bit cleaner. The Retro is definitely able to be faster so I'd rather use it for tracking but when I used the RS124 in a mix I follow it with the Bluey or Stam ADG so I'm sticking with that combo. I also use superfuse mode on the RS124 quite a bit so that is something I miss when using the BG1 or Revolver.
Really cool video. For some reason that side chain filter for me is a 'worse' option. 90 worse or 250 worse. It didn't really seem to let more bass through but still compressed less . Maybe being a 436/124 style, you still get much more tone out of the unit by hitting it much harder than other styles of compressors and it still stays super smooth. The side chain did do something to the strings but I really preferred more compression each time. What did you think Josh?
That's a great observation! Like the 176, when engaging the side chain filter on the Revolver, it can distort much quicker. Because of that, I'd try to only use it when compressing only a db or 2....the problem with that is, like you said, the RS124 style tends to sound best when compressing a good bit. So, 9 times out of 10 I'd probably leave the side chain filters off. It is a nice option to have but it definitely gets away from that classic sound if side chain + pushing it pretty hard.
@@darrylweller6143 I haven't tried the BG2 but I did own a BG1 for a while and got to compare it to the RS124 side by side. The BG1 was more hifi and a bit cleaner sounding to me. The Chandler was a thicker tone and the superfuse mode is something I couldn't really match with the BG1.
Thanks so much! I'm so glad you're finding content here you enjoy. The Chandler has the thickest tone of the bunch(which I prefer for vocals), the BG1 has an extended hi-fi sound that just makes everything sound better and the Retro has the ability to be the smoothest/most transparent. The Revolver can get pretty thick too but that ability to be pretty invisible at times is really nice as well. The biggest difference between the Revolver and the other 2 is that it is by far the fastest. It is definitely the one I would want to have if using it as a tracking compressor. The other huge separator is Superfuse mode on the Chandler. If superfuse is something you find yourself using often(I definitely do), you're not going to quite replicate that mode with the Retro or the BG1. I hope that helps!
@@SeawellStudios man I can’t tell you how useful this is, thank you so much! Not being able to try any of them I was under the impression the BG1 was the fastest. My heart is set on the revolver now.. can’t wait to get one! Keep up the great work and thanks again!
Thanks Mark! LA Scoring Strings(audiobro.com) and Imperfect Samples Ebony Concert Grand Piano (www.imperfectsamples.com/website/samples/fazioliconcertgrand/index.php) on this one. Any luck with getting the Stam Tube 87 mic yet? Can't wait to hear your thoughts on it!
For hooks and chorus parts that are sung, it would be great! For rap or more aggressive vocals, I'd go with something like the BLA Bluey instead: ruclips.net/video/ZlGGAitZuBA/видео.html
Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed it! Yeah for whatever reason none of the RS124 comps have bypass. The Highland Dynamics BG1 does have a compressor on/off switch but it’s not a true bypass either. I’m not sure why no one has added it.
@@SeawellStudios thanks! Having a hard time (really, an agonizing time to be honest) deciding between this, A Manley Vari Mu, and an IGS Tubcore 3U…a possible fourth option (god help me) is a Thermionic Phoenix. Mostly mix buss and mastering applications. I know its an impossible question but damn sometimes this is a tough call, especially when we cant demo hardware in person! Ha I recently purchased a gainlab dictator but dont care for the action
Oh ok, I misunderstood, sorry about that! For mix buss & mastering I think the Manley Vari Mu is going to be hard to beat. I haven’t had the pleasure of owning one but did get to work on one for a day & literally everything I threw at it just came out better on the other end. It is such a beautiful tone for a whole mix/master! As much as I love RS124 style comps, I’ve never really liked them on mix or master buss for some reason.
Man, please, I'm begging you. Stop, just stop making this tiny changes in analog gear and force us to head the difference (+youtube CRUSHES the sound a lot). These days people mostly don't by analog gear, cause the majority of a new generation thinks that VST can pretty much compare to the true fkn analog boxes with kilos of metall and transformers, that feels like you flying the Airbus. If i had this much money to buy Retro Leveler for exmpl, I wouldn't be convinced by this tiny changes you make, but by big ass changes that gives that TRUE ANALONG FEEL in nowadays. Cause VST can sound clean af, but with analog world it doesn't mean nothing. I've been working with Retro Leveler + redd 47 + neve - in different combinations, and the sound "on the eadge is the reason you would ever wanna by sta leveler for exmpl, with the digital gear waiting next corner to fck up the whole plane. Big respect, big love my brother. We're in Russia are looking at the prices of these things and it feels like tasting some shit, you know what i mean.
Thank you so much, for this great video!
My revolver finally arrived after 3 months, and I love!!
Thank you so much for your generosity! I truly appreciate it & I’m so glad to hear you love your new Revolver!
@@SeawellStudios it´s the least I could do, without this video I would have never considererd the revolver, retro instruments should thank you! :)
Wow...that's some magic happening there! Love it! Thanks for sharing!
I agree! It’s a special box for sure. Thanks for checking out the video, I appreciate it 👊🏼
Subscribed! I'm following since first review of the Retro 176 ;)
I really appreciate the support!
Yup, wanna see that Powerstrip 🤘🏼🤘🏼great review!!
Thanks! I'll do my best to get one in here in the near future.
Retro makes some of the absolute highest quality gear out there.
Absolutely! I just love everything from the sound to the cosmetics of the whole line. Modern day classics.
Man !! I need to stop watching your videos 😂I found what I need to buy next 😍
🤑🤑🤑
🤑🤑🤑
Welcome back! Cool Comp here
Thank you! It definitely is a cool comp, I got so lost in using it that I shot an hour long video LOL. Definitely had to edit it down to make it work for RUclips :)
great videos thanks ! ;) Would you prefer the Revolver or two Retro 176 on mixbus ? :)
Ooooh....that's a tough one! I'd go with the Revolver in that application. One thing that pushes it over the top is the link feature does this really cool thing to the stereo image that I enjoyed on mix buss.
Another great review and demonstration. Awesome job! You are making it extemely difficult to decide which piece of Retro gear to compliment my Powerstrip. I was decided on the 176 (based on your demo) before hearing what the Revolver did, especially using the two channels in line for cascading compression. So smooth and sounds phenomenal. Keep it up! 👍
Thanks Rich! That's something I'll struggle with as well until I can afford to have all the Retro gear I think :) They just make gear the way I like to hear things, I can't say enough good things about them! I've heard the Revolver comp is similar to the Powerstrip comp so a 176 or Sta Level may give you something more different than what you currently have. Having said that, having 2 channels in the Revolver is such a luxury!
@@SeawellStudios It seems we are in violent agreement on so many audio-related products! Must be a NC thing lol. Love love Retro gear. I noticed some Dangerous Music in your rack as well...I use their Convert AD+ here and it is another "magic box" that seems on the surface too expensive for the feature set, but puts all doubts at ease the minute you run audio into it.
@@FLOSPhotographer There must be something in the water around here 😁 I do have a Dangerous 2 Bus and Source. I previously owned a D-Box and was blown away by how good that D/A conversion was for monitoring in such an affordable box! Thanks for the info about the Convert, I'd love to check one out at some point!
Thank you Josh!!! What a great review!
That compressor has a really nice envelope, even on the fastest settings it's still smooth.
It sounds great on everything, its release behavior even reminds me optical compressors.
Variable attack and release controls plus side chain filter makes it very versatile.
Thanks Elias! Smooth is a great way to describe it! The variable attack and release definitely takes the RS124 style compression to a place I haven't heard before, I love it!
Excellent work Josh, it sounds good: just sitting there !:)
Thanks Matthew! It's definitely one that sounds great just passing signal before any gain reduction even kicks in.
Great video. I always imagined the Revolver would be able to distort like a Sta-Level, but even when you crank the input all the way, it seems it's nowhere near that level of big fuzz and grit, am I right or am I missing something? Thanks again.
Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it! It is definitely the smoothest/cleanest piece of Retro gear I've used yet. There are a lot of times when the Sta Level is absolutely perfect, but for times when it is too much color, the revolver is a great alternative!
Really love the sounds of your recordings !
Honestly listen to a lot of gear reviews ect and just the sound of everything you run is cool I can’t describe it haha just cool
Would you recommend the 176 or revolver mainly for tracking acoustic guitar and vocals
Thank you so much, that means a lot! If you record a good bit of stereo sources, I'd recommend the Revolver. If you're primarily doing a mono acoustic and vocal, the 176 will be more flexible. The interstage transformer in the 176 does something nice to the top end on acoustic on vocals as well.
Got here from Gearspace - great stuff, excellent review!
Nice! So glad to have you here, I really appreciate it.
Nice sounds, especially the acoustics. Good song.
Thank you!
looking to get an rs124 soon, would you recommend this over the chandler? Ty!
I would only recommend this over the Chandler if you expect to work on a lot of stereo sources and you've found the typical RS124 to be too slow for what you like. I happen to love the RS124 just the way it is so that's what I still use to this day. Thanks for checking out the video!
@@SeawellStudios I appreciate you brother thank you!
👊🏼
great video!!
I‘ve been looking into compressors for the last 2 months and i‘ve been really struggling to decide which one‘s the best for me atm.
Then, today finally I‘ve found your video and before that I didn’t even consider / knew of the revolver, but now it’s the one i‘ll get! ;)
Ah man, that’s so awesome! I’m so glad you found the video useful. I’d love to hear your thoughts once you get your revolver 👍🏻
i‘ll definitely let you know! ;)
shit… they’re not building the revolver anymore and retro instruments is out of stock…
My search for a compressor starts again at 0…
@@leonard.c Ah man, that sucks! Parts must be too hard to source. Good news though, I think Sound Pure has one left!
www.soundpure.com/p/retro-revolver-dual-channel-tube-compressor/20479
@@SeawellStudios unfortunately i‘m living in Berlin.. guess I’d have go pay double the taxes and I’m also not sure how it works with the warranty if I order from the US.
But I‘ll do my research, thank you so much for your help, I appreciate it!
Thank you very much for the video Monsieur.
You’re so welcome! Thank you for taking the time to check it out!
Do you think the retro and chandler RS124 are similar enough in sound as far as tracking vocal and guitars? Which do you prefer? I ask because I have the chandler but would be willing to get rid of it for the retro, also having the mix bus capability
I think you can get them similar if you don't use Superfuse mode much. Superfuse is something I couldn't quite get the revolver to do. If you tend to track without superfuse, then yes, you can get real close tonally and you'll have the bonus of the faster attack times of the revolver for those times that the RS124 can be a little too slow for certain singers.
@@SeawellStudios thanks for the info and you know what I never use the super fuse mode. It always sounded to me like my vocals were compressed and aggressive enough as it is and I never really thought about using it for acoustic or electric guitars.
What do you think about it compared to the rs124?
I compared them pretty extensively on vocals and the RS124 is just the exact sound I like to hear on a vocal. The Retro can get pretty close but is a bit cleaner. The Retro is definitely able to be faster so I'd rather use it for tracking but when I used the RS124 in a mix I follow it with the Bluey or Stam ADG so I'm sticking with that combo. I also use superfuse mode on the RS124 quite a bit so that is something I miss when using the BG1 or Revolver.
Really cool video. For some reason that side chain filter for me is a 'worse' option. 90 worse or 250 worse. It didn't really seem to let more bass through but still compressed less . Maybe being a 436/124 style, you still get much more tone out of the unit by hitting it much harder than other styles of compressors and it still stays super smooth. The side chain did do something to the strings but I really preferred more compression each time. What did you think Josh?
That's a great observation! Like the 176, when engaging the side chain filter on the Revolver, it can distort much quicker. Because of that, I'd try to only use it when compressing only a db or 2....the problem with that is, like you said, the RS124 style tends to sound best when compressing a good bit. So, 9 times out of 10 I'd probably leave the side chain filters off. It is a nice option to have but it definitely gets away from that classic sound if side chain + pushing it pretty hard.
What is your favorite compressor for acoustic guitar? That is transparent and just gives a sheen and lift
Chandler RS124
Thanks I have a highland dynamics bg2, Is the rs124 different enough from the bg2 to have both?
@@darrylweller6143 I haven't tried the BG2 but I did own a BG1 for a while and got to compare it to the RS124 side by side. The BG1 was more hifi and a bit cleaner sounding to me. The Chandler was a thicker tone and the superfuse mode is something I couldn't really match with the BG1.
Please do a retro 176 stereo pair review
Gives everything 3D space and a lovely golden shimmer
Agreed! It really adds something special to any source.
Thanks!
Thank you so much!
Loving your videos man. How would compare this to the BG1?
Thanks so much! I'm so glad you're finding content here you enjoy. The Chandler has the thickest tone of the bunch(which I prefer for vocals), the BG1 has an extended hi-fi sound that just makes everything sound better and the Retro has the ability to be the smoothest/most transparent. The Revolver can get pretty thick too but that ability to be pretty invisible at times is really nice as well. The biggest difference between the Revolver and the other 2 is that it is by far the fastest. It is definitely the one I would want to have if using it as a tracking compressor. The other huge separator is Superfuse mode on the Chandler. If superfuse is something you find yourself using often(I definitely do), you're not going to quite replicate that mode with the Retro or the BG1. I hope that helps!
@@SeawellStudios man I can’t tell you how useful this is, thank you so much! Not being able to try any of them I was under the impression the BG1 was the fastest. My heart is set on the revolver now.. can’t wait to get one! Keep up the great work and thanks again!
@@KillLightuk It makes me so happy to hear that! I'd love to hear your thoughts once you get your Revolver!
Nothing wrong with that! What string library? And I assume that was a real piano?
Thanks Mark! LA Scoring Strings(audiobro.com) and Imperfect Samples Ebony Concert Grand Piano (www.imperfectsamples.com/website/samples/fazioliconcertgrand/index.php) on this one. Any luck with getting the Stam Tube 87 mic yet? Can't wait to hear your thoughts on it!
@@SeawellStudios man I’m gonna have to grab both of those!! Thanks. No, not here yet. Hopefully soon! I’ll send you some files when it gets here
how would this work on a hip hop vocal?
For hooks and chorus parts that are sung, it would be great! For rap or more aggressive vocals, I'd go with something like the BLA Bluey instead: ruclips.net/video/ZlGGAitZuBA/видео.html
Great review...but really surprised there is no hard bypass button. Pretty glaring oversight for such a pricey unit. I'll stick with my IGS Tubecore.
Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed it! Yeah for whatever reason none of the RS124 comps have bypass. The Highland Dynamics BG1 does have a compressor on/off switch but it’s not a true bypass either. I’m not sure why no one has added it.
It sounds like warm glaze on fresh out-of-the oven handmade cinnamon rolls.
Great description, I love it!
What a beaut!
Agreed! I absolutely love the Retro aesthetic!
This or manley?? 🥸
If you’re mostly mixing I’d get the revolver. If you’re mostly tracking(vocals & bass in particular) I’d get the VoxBox.
@@SeawellStudios thanks! Having a hard time (really, an agonizing time to be honest) deciding between this, A Manley Vari Mu, and an IGS Tubcore 3U…a possible fourth option (god help me) is a Thermionic Phoenix.
Mostly mix buss and mastering applications. I know its an impossible question but damn sometimes this is a tough call, especially when we cant demo hardware in person! Ha
I recently purchased a gainlab dictator but dont care for the action
Oh ok, I misunderstood, sorry about that! For mix buss & mastering I think the Manley Vari Mu is going to be hard to beat. I haven’t had the pleasure of owning one but did get to work on one for a day & literally everything I threw at it just came out better on the other end. It is such a beautiful tone for a whole mix/master! As much as I love RS124 style comps, I’ve never really liked them on mix or master buss for some reason.
@@SeawellStudios Thank you ever so much!!
Man, please, I'm begging you. Stop, just stop making this tiny changes in analog gear and force us to head the difference (+youtube CRUSHES the sound a lot). These days people mostly don't by analog gear, cause the majority of a new generation thinks that VST can pretty much compare to the true fkn analog boxes with kilos of metall and transformers, that feels like you flying the Airbus. If i had this much money to buy Retro Leveler for exmpl, I wouldn't be convinced by this tiny changes you make, but by big ass changes that gives that TRUE ANALONG FEEL in nowadays. Cause VST can sound clean af, but with analog world it doesn't mean nothing. I've been working with Retro Leveler + redd 47 + neve - in different combinations, and the sound "on the eadge is the reason you would ever wanna by sta leveler for exmpl, with the digital gear waiting next corner to fck up the whole plane.
Big respect, big love my brother. We're in Russia are looking at the prices of these things and it feels like tasting some shit, you know what i mean.
I demo each unit how I would use it in real world use 👍🏻